[20] [Lady Blessington had a good deal more talent and reading than Mr. Greville gives her credit for. Several years of her agitated life were spent in the country in complete retirement, where she had no resources to fall back upon but a good library. She was well read in the best English authors, and even in translations of the classics; but the talent to which she owed her success in society was her incomparable tact and skill in drawing out the best qualities of her guests. What Mr. Greville terms her vulgarity might be more charitably described as her Irish cordiality and _bonhomie_. I have no doubt that her 'Conversations with Lord Byron' were entirely written by herself. It is true that, writing, as she did, to make money, many of her other books were exceedingly worthless.] CHAPTER V. Opening of the Session--Lady Flora Hastings--Bulwer's 'Richelieu'--Changes at the Colonial Office--Attack on Lord Normanby's Irish Administration in the Lords--General Aspect of Affairs--The 'Morning Chronicle'--Death of Lord de Ros-- Precarious Position of the Government--Views of Lord John Russell--A doubtful Question--Conciliatory Conversation with Sir James Graham--Attitude of the Whig Party--Peel's cold Reception of the Proposal--Result of the Debate--Attitude of Lord John Russell--Language of the Radical Party-- Conciliation--Change of Feeling in the Country--Duke of Newcastle dismissed from the Lord Lieutenancy--Lord John Russell's Letter--Jamaica Bill--Defeat of the Jamaica Bill-- Resignation of Ministers--The Queen retains the Ladies of her Household--Conduct of the Whigs--End of the Crisis--The Truth of the Story. London: February 24th, 1839 {p.170}